Myth: Earn Thousands Stuffing, Addressing or Mailing Envelopes

According to the US Postal Inspection Service, one of the most common work at home frauds involve stuffing envelopes at home and/or mailing circulars. Ads for such offers may speak of a “revolutionary home business opportunity” that will pay up to $500 a day.

If you fall for this type of scam, you will probably end up paying up to $100.00 or more for a package of literature that includes the same sales letter that you received originally, along with instructions on how to put a classified ad in the newspaper. When people write or contact you regarding the ad you placed, you will sell them the same thing that you fell for. Really not a good way to build a reputation for yourself, is it?

So, where does the “envelope stuffing” come in? Well, supposedly you will be preparing mailings for all those naïve customers that are ordering your “Revolutionary Home Business Opportunity.” However, here are a few things to keep in mind: Depending on the newspaper, it can cost anywhere from $30 to $200 dollars to place an ad. You will also need to think of your printing and postage costs. Furthermore, as people become more aware of the envelope stuffing scam, fewer are going to apply to your ad. A HomeWorkers Net members tells her story:

“I responded to an ad for envelope stuffers with a company called GENEVA. I didn’t think that it was a scam because they told me that they needed people to “hand-write” the addresses on the envelopes instead of typing them. I thought that sounded different so I sent them $43.00 for the “employee contract and orientation package.” Of course, this turned out to be a big scam, just like all the others. It was just another trick to get my money.” Denise Bennett, Oakland, California

In short, the only ones making money in this business are the ones who create the programs and circulars that other people use. The reality of mail order marketing is that it is tough to get even a 1 percent response to a circular mailing or classified ad, and if its poorly printed and offers questionable products or information, it is likely to be completely ignored by the recipients.

An interesting point to remember: modern mailing techniques and equipment have virtually eliminated the need for homeworkers to perform legitimate envelope stuffing, addressing, and mailing services from their homes. Therefore, you will not find actual home based jobs for envelope addresses or mailers. These schemes always constitute fraud. They use deception to get money and they are illegal. DO NOT, we repeat.. DO NOT reply to ads for envelope stuffing or mailing. They have never led to a real or legitimate opportunity. If you are looking for real work at home jobs: